The Varsity MLB’s Netflix Era
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Feb 25, 2026 
Andrew Marchand, senior sports media columnist for The Athletic, breaks down MLB’s media rights shuffle and Netflix’s growing role. He debates how multiple partners may confuse fans. He explains cinematic game presentations, local-rights bundling, ESPN’s programming pivot, and who stands to gain in upcoming NFL negotiations.
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Searchers Beat Channel Surfing For Most Fans
- Modern guides/search in services like YouTube TV reduce channel-finding friction by taking you directly to the game icon.
- John Ourand notes this lessens the old channel-surfing problem, though discovery still varies by fan interest.
Lean Into Celebrating Athletic Skill
- Celebrate the athletic skill in broadcasts rather than only analyst-driven entertainment.
- Marchand suggests deeper in-game explanation (e.g., how a 97 mph fastball leads to a 450-foot homer) to enhance appreciation.
Netflix Courting Barry Bonds For Opening Day
- Netflix reportedly courting Barry Bonds for opening-day presentation to add star power to Giants-Yankees opener.
- Marchand calls Bonds an inspired choice given his home-run legacy and relative public absence.